Micah 7

Micah 7:1

VVOe is me] the Prophets lamentation, because godly men were decayed in the countrey: as if a thirsty and wearied traveller could not finde any fruit or Grapes in the Fields or Vine-yards. See Psal. 12. 1 The first ripe] rare fruits, and therefore most to be desired, Isay 28. 4. Hosea 9:10. The meaning is; that he fought for a good man amongst the people, as for a very rare thing.

Micah 7:3

Asketh] for presents Wrap it up] they make a league together, they joyne and strenthen their evill councels and frauds; even as by the twisting together of diverse threeds and strings they do make a strong rope.

Micah 7:4

As a brier] hurtfull and catching, as Psal. 58 9. Ezekiel 26:1-21 The day] the time of thy punishment, foretold by the Prophets, who are called the watchmen, Ezek. 3. 17. & 33 7. Hos. 9 8 Perplexity] and extreme anguish, instead of the windings and practices of your deceipts. See Nahum 1:10.

Micah 7:5

Trust ye not] there is no more faith nor loyalty, no not even amongst the neerest friends A guide] so are they called in Scripture, who by reason of their degree, duty, or authority, are as it were the heads and directors of others: as the husband is of the wife; the Schoolemaster of his scholers, and the Councellor of the Prince, Psal. 5. 14 Keepe the] discover not thy secret to thine owne wife, for feare left she betray thee.

Micah 7:7

Therefore I] the Italian, but I] namely; I Micah, with all true beleevers; seeing all manner of hope of being releeved by men, to be past will turn to God by faith, expectation & prayer

Micah 7:8

Rejoyce not] words of the Church, encouraged by Gods grace: against all the taunts of the whole multitude of her adversaries.

Micah 7:9

I will beare] with humility and patience He plead] against mine enemies: who taking no care for to execute Gods judgements for my sins, have wreaked all their cruelty upon me.Will bring me] as it were out of the low pit of misery, in which I am His righteousnesse] his deliverance, the effect of his loyalty and love towards me: and of his severe justice, against his and mine enemies.

Micah 7:11

In the day] An Euangelicall promise: the meaning is; when in the Messias his time I shall re-establish my Church, which hath beene as an excluded and abandoned Possession: Amos 9:11. I will set her in perfect liberty, freeing her from the commands of all others; but mine owne.

Micah 7:12

They shall come] All Nations shall joyne themselves to the Christian Church: See Isaiah 19:23 The fortified cities] A Countrey which is most strong by nature, being bounded by the sea, and by wildernesses; and entrenched with great channells of water. The Prophet names it so by an allusion to the Hebrew name, of Egypt: See Daniel 11:15; Daniel 11:24 The river] namely; Euphrates.

Micah 7:13

The land] namely; Judea, before the comming of Christ in the flesh Because of] Or, together with, &c For the ruits] For the just recompence and punishment of their sinnes.

Micah 7:14

Feed thy] The Prophets words to our Saviour Jesus Christ; that hee would be pleased to feed, and guide his Church: which is destitute of all humane help, and is exposed to many dangers, like sheep upon the mountains and in woods Carmel Basham] Places yeelding fat pastures.

Micah 7:15

Will I shew] Christ his answer.

Micah 7:16

They shall lay] They shall hold their peaces for fear Shal be deaf] With the sudden bursting forth of Gods wonderfull and terrible works.

Micah 7:17

Thy shall ick] They shall be cast down with all their pride, at Gods feet, who shall raigne in his Church: Psal. 72. 9. Isaiah 49:23 Because of thee] O God! or, of thee, O Church! when thou shalt be restored to thy glory and splendor by Christ, who shall dwell and operate in thee.